Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Kings 2:15-18.

“Now when the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho opposite him saw him, they said, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.”  And they came to meet him and bowed themselves to the ground before him.  They said to him, “Behold now, there are with your servants fifty strong men, please let them go and search for your master;  perhaps the Spirit of the LORD has taken him up and cast him on some mountain or into some valley.”  And he said, “You shall not send.”  But when they urged him until he was ashamed, he said, “Send.”  They sent therefore fifty men;  and they searched three days but did not find him.  They returned to him while he was staying at Jericho;  and he said to them, “Did I not say to you, ‘Do not go’?”  2 Kings 2:15-18.

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We notice Elisha’s steadfastness.  Elisha personally heard what Elijah said, and Elisha personally saw the chariot of fire and horses of fire take Elijah up.  See 2 Kings 2:1-14.  Elisha received a mantle and a double portion of Elijah’s spirit.  Elisha knew that he was taking over Elijah’s ministry.  

But, the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho opposite him tried to appeal to Elisha’s pride and urged him to allow a search party for Elijah.  Although Elisha did say:  “Send.”, he did not do it out of any hope that it might be possible that they might find Elijah.  It was likely that he did so to just give them off his back.  “But when they urged him until he was ashamed, he said, “Send.”  …”  Verse 17.

In summary, it is likely that the sons of the prophets said things and made Elisha temporarily feel like he should not resist.   After all, would it not be good to try to find Elijah?!   But, Elisha himself did not consider that he himself had wavered.  Elisha “said to them, “Did I not say to you, ‘Do not go’?”  Verse 18.   

Likewise, today, generally, we will experience other Christians saying things that superficially makes sense and appeal to our pride, even to our Christian sense of duty.  There is the danger that we can be distracted and delayed from fulfilling our ministry.  We must be steadfast and resist from doing what merely may be good in order to do what we know is best and to fulfill our ministry.      

Specifically, today, we see a lot of churches and people get distracted and delayed by trying to be social services to their church members and the outside community.  Although social services can be good work, it can dominate and push out the primary duties of the church such as to preach and teach God’s word, to pray, and to praise God through singing in the best congregational worship service that we can provide.  Doing social services attracts more praise than preaching and teaching God’s word from both other Christians and the outside world.  Social services is a better way to increase attendance, membership, and giving.

But, we are called to be steadfast and to fulfill our ministry.

“I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:  preach the word;  be ready in season and out of season;  reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine;  but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.  But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”  2 Timothy 4:1-5.

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”  1 Corinthians 15:58.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Kings 2:1-14.  Here is a link to this Scripture – 2 Kings 2 NASB1995 – – Bible Gateway

I quote only the following verses.

“And it came about when the LORD was about to take up Elijah by a whirlwind to heaven, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.  Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here please, for the LORD has sent me as far as Bethel.”  But Elisha said, “As the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.”  So they went down to Bethel.  …

…

When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you.”  And Elisha said, “Please, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.”  He said, “You have asked a hard thing.  Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you;  but if not, it shall not be so.”  As they were going along and talking, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them.  And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven.  Elisha saw it and cried out, “My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!”  And he saw Elijah no more.  Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.  He also took up the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and returned and stood by the bank of the Jordan.  He took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and struck the waters and said, “Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?”  And when he also had struck the waters, they were divided here and there;  and Elisha crossed over.”  2 Kings 2:1-2 and 9-14.

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The question of Elisha (“Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?”) in today’s Scripture is in sharp contrast to the quest of Ahaziah in the prior chapter (“And Ahaziah fell through the lattice in his upper chamber which was in Samaria, and became ill.  So he sent messengers and said to them, “Go, inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I will recover from this sickness.” 2 Kings 1:2.)   

When we hear preaching or teaching, do we ask “Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?” in that preaching or teaching?

Or, are we on some quest to find out in that preaching or teaching what we should do?

More generally, when we live out our lives, do we ask “Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?” and “What has the LORD done?”

Or, are we on some quest, focused on ourselves and our own works?  

Notice in the following Scripture the sharp contrast between the focus of the Jews and what they asked compared to the focus of Jesus and what He pointed out is the work of God.

“Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?”  Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”  John 6:28-29.

Other preaching and teaching of other doctrine is like the focus of the Jews.  “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?”

But, the preaching and teaching of Reformed Doctrine continually asks the questions:  “Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?” and “What is the LORD doing?”

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.  In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.  In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us.  In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth.  In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,”  Ephesians 1:3-11. 

“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”  1 Corinthians 1:30-31.

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Kings 2:1-8.  Here is a link to this Scripture – 2 Kings 1 NASB1995 – – Bible Gateway

I quote only the following verses.

“Now Moab rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab.  And Ahaziah fell through the lattice in his upper chamber which was in Samaria, and became ill.  So he sent messengers and said to them, “Go, inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I will recover from this sickness.”  But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and say to them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?’  Now therefore thus says the LORD, ‘You shall not come down from the bed where you have gone up, but you shall surely die.’”  Then Elijah departed.”  1 Kings 2:1-4. 

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How often we seek the counsel of others rather than the All-Knowing, All-Wise, All-Good, Sovereign, Almighty, and Perfect LORD Who accomplishes all that He desires!

“6 Seek the LORD while He may be found;
Call upon Him while He is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake his way
And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
And let him return to the LORD,
And He will have compassion on him,
And to our God,
For He will abundantly pardon.
8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.
9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
10 “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
And do not return there without watering the earth
And making it bear and sprout,
And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater;
11 So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth;
It will not return to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what I desire,
And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:6-11.

“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.  But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.  For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”  James 1:5-7.

“6 For the LORD gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
8 Guarding the paths of justice,
And He preserves the way of His godly ones.
9 Then you will discern righteousness and justice
And equity and every good course.” Proverbs 2:6-9.

“but just as it is written,

“THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD,
AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN,
ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.”

For to us God revealed them through the Spirit;  for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.  For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him?  Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God.  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God,”  1 Corinthians 2:9-12.

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.  Peace I leave with you;  My peace I give to you;  not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”  John 14:26-27.

“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth;  for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak;  and He will disclose to you what is to come.”  John 16:13. 

“8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go;
I will counsel you with My eye upon you.
9 Do not be as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding,
Whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check,
Otherwise they will not come near to you.
10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
But he who trusts in the LORD, lovingkindness shall surround him.
11 Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous ones;
And shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.” Psalm 32:8-11.

“… we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;  strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience;  joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.”  Colossians 1:9-12.

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Kings 22:41-53.  Here is a link to this Scripture – 1 Kings 22 NASB1995 – – Bible Gateway

I quote only the following verses.

“Now Jehoshaphat the son of Asa became king over Judah in the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel.  Jehoshaphat was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem.  And his mother’s name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.  He walked in all the way of Asa his father;  he did not turn aside from it, doing right in the sight of the LORD.  However, the high places were not taken away;  the people still sacrificed and burnt incense on the high places.  Jehoshaphat also made peace with the king of Israel.

…

Ahaziah the son of Ahab became king over Israel in Samaria in the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and he reigned two years over Israel.  He did evil in the sight of the LORD and walked in the way of his father and in the way of his mother and in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who caused Israel to sin.  So he served Baal and worshiped him and provoked the LORD God of Israel to anger, according to all that his father had done.”  1 Kings 22:41-44 and 51-53. 

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As we see from today’s Scripture that especially a father and mother, but also others, can have an important influence on their children for good or bad. 

Regarding receiving a good influence from his father, we notice Jehoshaphat.  “He walked in all the way of Asa his father;  he did not turn aside from it, doing right in the sight of the LORD.  …”  Verse 43.

Regarding receiving a bad influence from his father, his mother, and another, we notice Ahaziah the son of Ahab.  “He did evil in the sight of the LORD and walked in the way of his father and in the way of his mother and in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who caused Israel to sin.”  Verse 52.

Certain Jews claimed that Abraham was their father and that God was their Heavenly Father.  But, notice Jesus’ reply to them in the following Scripture.

“They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.”  Jesus *said to them, “If you are Abraham’s children, do the deeds of Abraham.  But as it is, you are seeking to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God;  this Abraham did not do.  You are doing the deeds of your father.”  They said to Him, “We were not born of fornication;  we have one Father:  God.”  Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me.  Why do you not understand what I am saying?  It is because you cannot hear My word.  You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father.  He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him.  Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”  John 8:39-44.

Likewise, today, it is easy for people to claim that God is their Heavenly Father.  But, just because they claim that God is their Heavenly Father does not necessitate that God is their Heavenly Father.  

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”  John 1:12-13. 

And, for those who are “born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God”, and are indeed children of God, there is hope!

How much more good our Heavenly Father does for us, His children!

“Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”  Matthew 5:48.

“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”  1 Corinthians 1:30-31.

“For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.”  Hebrews 10:14. 

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Kings 22:29-40.  Here is the link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Kings%2022&version=NASB1995

“So the king (Ahab) died and was brought to Samaria, and they buried the king in Samaria.  They washed the chariot by the pool of Samaria, and the dogs licked up his blood (now the harlots bathed themselves there), according to the word of the LORD which He spoke.  Now the rest of the acts of Ahab and all that he did and the ivory house which he built and all the cities which he built, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?  So Ahab slept with his fathers, and Ahaziah his son became king in his place.”  1 Kings 22:37-40.  

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Why does the Almighty, All Sovereign LORD so often in His Word announce in advance what He is going to do and then again state in His Word that it has been done according to His Word?

Why does the LORD care what man thinks?  Why doesn’t the LORD just do His Will without announcing it in advance in His Word?  Why does the LORD later state that it has been done according to His Word?

There is the general care of man stated in the following Scripture.

“4 What is man that You take thought of him,
And the son of man that You care for him?
5 Yet You have made him a little lower than God,
And You crown him with glory and majesty!
6 You make him to rule over the works of Your hands;
You have put all things under his feet,
7 All sheep and oxen,
And also the beasts of the field,
8 The birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea,
Whatever passes through the paths of the seas.” Psalm 8:4-8.

But, this Scripture also points to “the son of man”, namely Christ, as the following Scriptures show.  

In summary, the LORD cares about the Son of Man, His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ.  The LORD also cares about His elect whom He has given to Christ to save to demonstrate His lovingkindness.  The LORD also cares about others to hold them accountable to demonstrate His justice through Christ putting all of His enemies under His feet.  

“He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth.  …”  Ephesians 1:9-10.

“For He (Christ) must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet.  The last enemy that will be abolished is death.  For He has put all things in subjection under His feet.”  1 Corinthians 15:25-26.

“For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.  For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?  After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard,  God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.

For He did not subject to angels the world to come, concerning which we are speaking.  But one has testified somewhere, saying,

“WHAT IS MAN, THAT YOU REMEMBER HIM?
OR THE SON OF MAN, THAT YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT HIM?
“YOU HAVE MADE HIM FOR A LITTLE WHILE LOWER THAN THE ANGELS;
YOU HAVE CROWNED HIM WITH GLORY AND HONOR,
AND HAVE APPOINTED HIM OVER THE WORKS OF YOUR HANDS;
YOU HAVE PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET.”

For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him.  But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him.

But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.

For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings.  For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father;  for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying,

“I WILL PROCLAIM YOUR NAME TO MY BRETHERN,
IN THE MIDST OF THE CONGREGATION I WILL SING YOUR PRAISE.”

And again,

“I WILL PUT MY TRUST IN HIM.”

And again,

“BEHOLD, I AND THE CHILDREN WHOM GOD HAS GIVEN ME.”

Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.  For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham.  Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.  For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.”  Hebrews chapter 2.

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Kings 22:19-28.

“Micaiah said, “Therefore, hear the word of the LORD.  I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing by Him on His right and on His left.  The LORD said, ‘Who will entice Ahab to go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’  And one said this while another said that.  Then a spirit came forward and stood before the LORD and said, ‘I will entice him.’  The LORD said to him, ‘How?’  And he said, ‘I will go out and be a deceiving spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’  Then He said, ‘You are to entice him and also prevail.  Go and do so.’  Now therefore, behold, the LORD has put a deceiving spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets;  and the LORD has proclaimed disaster against you.”

Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near and struck Micaiah on the cheek and said, “How did the Spirit of the LORD pass from me to speak to you?”  Micaiah said, “Behold, you shall see on that day when you enter an inner room to hide yourself.”  Then the king of Israel said, “Take Micaiah and return him to Amon the governor of the city and to Joash the king’s son;  and say, ‘Thus says the king, “Put this man in prison and feed him sparingly with bread and water until I return safely.”’”  Micaiah said, “If you indeed return safely the LORD has not spoken by me.”  And he said, “Listen, all you people.”  1 Kings 22:19-28.

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“Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.”  Matthew 24:11-14.

But, there is hope!

The LORD is sovereign even over false prophets.  

In today’s Scripture, we see that the LORD was sovereign over the false prophets to accomplish His goal of the defeat and death of Ahab, king of Israel, as we will read in the following Scripture (I Kings 22:29-40).  Micaiah, the true prophet, prophesied to Ahab:  “Now therefore, behold, the LORD has put a deceiving spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets;  and the LORD has proclaimed disaster against you.”  Verse 23.

And, so more generally, we can take comfort today that even though “Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.”, the LORD can protect us, His children, and also accomplish His purpose of justice.  

“The LORD has made everything for its own purpose,
Even the wicked for the day of evil.” Proverbs 16:4.

“You are from God, little children, and have overcome them;  because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.  They are from the world;  therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them.  We are from God;  he who knows God listens to us;  he who is not from God does not listen to us.  By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.”  1 John 4:4-6.

“But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 8:37-39.

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Kings 22:1-18.

“Three years passed without war between Aram and Israel.  In the third year Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel.  Now the king of Israel said to his servants, “Do you know that Ramoth-gilead belongs to us, and we are still doing nothing to take it out of the hand of the king of Aram?”  And he said to Jehoshaphat, “Will you go with me to battle at Ramoth-gilead?”  And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.”

Moreover, Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Please inquire first for the word of the LORD.”  Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said to them, “Shall I go against Ramoth-gilead to battle or shall I refrain?”  And they said, “Go up, for the Lord will give it into the hand of the king.”  But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there not yet a prophet of the LORD here that we may inquire of him?”  The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the LORD, but I hate him, because he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil.  He is Micaiah son of Imlah.”  But Jehoshaphat said, “Let not the king say so.”  Then the king of Israel called an officer and said, “Bring quickly Micaiah son of Imlah.”  Now the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah were sitting each on his throne, arrayed in their robes, at the threshing floor at the entrance of the gate of Samaria;  and all the prophets were prophesying before them.  Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made horns of iron for himself and said, “Thus says the LORD, ‘With these you will gore the Arameans until they are consumed.’”  All the prophets were prophesying thus, saying, “Go up to Ramoth-gilead and prosper, for the LORD will give it into the hand of the king.”

Then the messenger who went to summon Micaiah spoke to him saying, “Behold now, the words of the prophets are uniformly favorable to the king.  Please let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak favorably.”  But Micaiah said, “As the LORD lives, what the LORD says to me, that I shall speak.”

When he came to the king, the king said to him, “Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall we refrain?”  And he answered him, “Go up and succeed, and the LORD will give it into the hand of the king.”  Then the king said to him, “How many times must I adjure you to speak to me nothing but the truth in the name of the LORD?”  So he said,

“I saw all Israel
Scattered on the mountains,
Like sheep which have no shepherd.
And the LORD said, ‘These have no master.
Let each of them return to his house in peace.’”

Then the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Did I not tell you that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?”  1 Kings 22:1-18.

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“Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.  Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.  But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.  This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.”  Matthew 24:11-14.

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.  By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God;  and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God;  this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world.  You are from God, little children, and have overcome them;  because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.  They are from the world;  therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them.  We are from God;  he who knows God listens to us;  he who is not from God does not listen to us.  By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.”  1 John 4:1-6.